Special Service and Features
Mahatma Gandhi’s life is his message to the world
Webinar on ‘150 years of Mahatma Gandhi and ‘balanced diet and nutrition’ held by FOB, Madurai
Mahatma Gandhiji’s life is his message to the world and every citizen should read his autobiography to imbibe the ideals of nonviolence and truth which is ever relevant and vibrant, said Shri J Kamaraj Joint Director Regional Outreach Bureau, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
In his presidential address, in a webinar on 'Balanced Diet and Health', 'Immune Foods', 'Home Garden' and '150th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi' organised by Field Outreach Bureau, Govt of India, Madurai he said that the very word Mahatma invokes a lot if veneration from deep inside the heart and following his ideals is the real tribute one could pay to the noble soul. He recollected the words of great scientist Albert Einstein, "Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth. He cited the novel 'Aatmavin ragangal' written by Sahitya academy awardee Na. Parthasarathy in which he describes the struggles during Gandhiji's lifetime and how people living far and wide across the country, got inspired by the call of Mahatma for the sheer determination and courage he displayed against the British hegemony . Saying that self discipline is essential in any thinking society and the increasing number of covid 19 cases is a sad pointer to the people’s non copoeration with governments who are working overtime to curb the spread of covid 19 pandemic. Speaking about Nutrition Month, he said that Integrated Child Development Scheme officials are doing well in Tamil Nadu. However, it is unfortunate that still babies are born underweight, malnourished and stunted. He appealed to ICDS staff members to take the message on Covid 19 also alongwith nutrition based dissemination.
Shri.R.Natarajan, Education Officer, Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai in his special address said that it is very apt to speak about Gandhiji’s nonviolence on World Peace Day. He said that freedom struggle was going on even before Gandhiji, but Mahatma Gandhiji turned it into a people's movement and reached out to the masses. The Field Outreach Bureau has been reaching out to grass root people and has been successful in propagating government schemes. He pointed out how Gandhiji contradicted views about Britishers on Indians including cleanliness and public health. He said that Gandhiji did not hold any administrative or executive position. He spoke about Thillaiyadi Valliyamai who at the age of fourteen was inspired by Gandhiji.
Shri Veeranan Arun Giridhari, Assistant Professor for Nutrition, Tamilnadu Agriculture College, Dharmapuri in his key-note address stressed on the importance of balanced diet. He pointed out that 23% of girls are underweight and 21% are overweight. Simlarly 19% of boys are underweight and 20% are overweight. He said that because of food habit changes, Indians too face problems of obesity, He pointed out that there are four types of mechanisms to understand the nutrition status of the individual including anthropometry, biochemical, clinical and dietary survey method. He advised to eat fruits and vegetables especially moringa leaves, lemon, tomatoes, coloured fruits and vegetables which are having Vitamin C, the immune boosting vitamin. He said that turmeric, pepper, ginger, garlic contain bioactive components which play a major role in increasing the immunity.
Dr.M.Palanikumar, Assistant Professor for Horticulture, Krishi Vigyan kendra, Madurai in his special address spoke about importance of Home gardens in backyard. He said that terrace garden can be made with solid plastic bags if there is no land space especially in urban areas. He pointed out that home gardens provide with organic and nutritious vegetables. He spoke on detail about the uses of Arugampul which purifies the blood. He further recommended Vallarai for memory power, Nochi leaf and Tiruneetru pachilai for reducing headaches, Kizhanelli for jaundice. He said that home gardens can be made by mixing earthworm manure, neem cake and rotten coconut fiber.
Smt S.Hemalatha, Child development project officer Madurai East in her introductory address said that the main objective of the government in observing September as Nutrition Month is to eradicate malnutrition in children and anemia in women. Reducing stunted growth in children has been included as a priority in the Poshan Abhiyan scheme. She said that underweight children are being identified this September and home gardening among the people also being encouraged.
Shri P.Velmurugan, Field Publicity Assistant, Field Outreach Bureau, Madurai moderated and arranged the webinar. He said that the webinar was organised in coordination with integrated child development scheme Madurai East office and Coimbatore Tamil Nadu Agriculture University. A large number of beneficiaries of ICDS departments and ICDS workers from Madurai East Block participated. The webinar was attended by 100 participants with 450 participants watching it live on youtube in the channel ‘Regional Outreach Bureau Tamil Nadu and Puducherry'
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